FR2475729A1 - LIQUID ANALYZER APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

A. LIQUID ANALYZER. B. APPARATUS CHARACTERIZED IN THAT THE SAMPLE INTRODUCTION DEVICE 1 HAS A FEEDING MOUTH 9 ESSENTIALLY IN THE FORM OF A FUNNEL WHICH IS USED TO FIT THE SAMPLE CONTAINER. C. THE INVENTION IS APPLICABLE TO ANALYZES OF ALL LIQUIDS.

Description

The invention relates to an analyzer apparatus for measuring

  liquid samples having a sample introduction device for passing the samples

  samples contained in a container in a sample channel

  which connects to this device. It is already known from German OS 2 521 061, an analyzer apparatus of this kind, which has a sample introduction device in the form of a small elongated tubular sample probe, by means of which one may cause the sample to be drawn on which measurements are to be made in the attached sample channel

  or in an analysis chamber that forms an element of the channel.

  The small tubular sample probe extends obliquely from the apparatus to collect the sample and dips, through its tip into the container used for samples. Apart from sensitivity to mechanical damage to the probe

  such a projecting sample, this type of sampled

  lons of this known apparatus is itself a disadvantage

  criticism, because in each case it is necessary to

  sample, which must offer a relatively large opening

  aunt for the probe to sink into it, and furthermore, for reasons of simplification of the handling of the sample container and the handling of the analyzer apparatus, it is necessary to

  have a quantity of product to be sampled

important.

  The object of the invention is to improve the analyzer apparatus of the mentioned type by starting in such a way that the mentioned drawbacks of the known device are avoided, and in particular that the device for introducing samples is

  improved in the sense that it is possible to use different

  samples, that we can be satisfied with small

  quantities of samples, and that the danger of

  mechanical integration of the device for introducing the

tillon himself.

  For this purpose, the invention proposes that the device

  of sample introduction has a mouth of

  essentially funnel-shaped, which serves to set up the sample container. It is ensured, thanks to the funnel-shaped feed mouthpiece, that sample-shaped sample containers can be used.

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  more varied, such as syringes, pipettes and capillary tubes.

  the outlet openings may vary within wide limits, and it will also be possible to introduce

  sample by hand directly into the sample channel

  ions, for example by means of micropipettes or microsyringes:

  finally, which is particularly advantageous for the use

  of the apparatus, there is no delicate mechanical part, the deterioration of which, during the introduction of sample

device failure.

  In a further improvement of the invention, the feed mouthpiece is made of an elastically deformable material, preferably a transparent plastic material, and is established in the form of a feed piece which

  can be set up separately in the system of introduction

  duction of the samples and which becomes hermetic by tightening by its own elastic tension on the channel of the samples which is connected to it. As a result, very small sample containers can be driven into the elastically deformable funnel of the feed mouth, such as

  capillary glass tubes, in such a way that they remain

  same position where they have been pressed, which simplifies

  the service of the device. In addition, thanks to the possible elastic deformation of the feed mouth,

  directly and simply a good seal between the reci-

  samples and the system for introducing samples

  this seal being obtained for the feed piece

  mentation that is implemented separately in the

  sample introduction with respect to the immediate

  immediately adjacent to this device, by means of a

  elastic band obtained by giving a shape and size

  appropriate for this feed piece. This feed piece can be manufactured easily and inexpensively,

  so that it can be replaced by another corresponding piece

  new, without difficulty, when it is deteriorated or

heavily soiled.

  In a refinement of the invention, it is

  planned in correlation with the transparency of the power supply

  tation, which is available below the mouth of the food

  itself transparent, a luminous device indicating

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  the state differences of the analyzer apparatus, so that

  not only the introduction orifice is clearly characterized

  in a form that facilitates the service of the

  the lyser, but also, it is possible to indicate directly on the introduction device, various functional states of this analyzer apparatus, such as for example sampling

  samples, or sample processing.

  In an analyzer apparatus, comprising a device

  to remove the sample residues from the

  In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device comprises a washing body which during the operation

  of cleaning, circumscribed, in common with the mouth of

  funnel-shaped, an annular slot, adapted to the shape of this inlet mouthpiece which will be provided with an arrival of a cleaning agent, It is particularly important to carry out a careful cleaning of the introduction device samples and the sample channel that connects to them after each treatment of a sample, so that the results of the measurements are not distorted, which could have a very clear effect if the quantities of substances to be examined are very small. In the apparatus mentioned at the beginning, known from German OS 2 521 061, there is provided for this purpose a cleaning device which allows to clean the sample probe by immersing it in a cleaning liquid, after sampling and routing of the sample. The washing liquid is here fed to the container in which the probe is immersed in such a way that the aspiration of the pure washing liquid into the probe and the sample channel is followed by a mixture of washing liquid and air which must

  improve the cleaning effect. Differing from this

  relatively expensive truction of the washing liquid supply, it is also provided according to the invention, simply a washing body, which, during the cleaning operation, forms an annular slot towards the feed mouth in the form of funnel, the fluid agent for cleaning being sent into this annular slot, Thanks to the annular slot, it occurs, when the latter is traversed by the agent of

  cleaning, relatively high flow velocities

  aunts, and consequently an excellent cleaning action:

  here is particularly advantageous, according to another characteristic

  ristzque of the invention that can be sent in the slot

  ring between the washing body and the mouth of the

  at the beginning of the cleaning operation, a liquid

  washing, and then air for drying. The annular slot

  between the washing body and the feed mouth is particularly advantageous for drying at

  the air that is passed through, because, because of the increase in

  the flow velocity in this zone, the accumulation of droplets in the

of the funnel.

  The part of the washing body that cooperates with the

  feeding mouth is adapted, according to another proposal

  invention, essentially, to the shape of the mouth

  in this zone and is provided in the

  cleaning device so that between its base and the cleaning device an annular slot is formed which communicates with the arrival of the cleaning agent. Thanks to the arrangement of the annular slot at the base of the washing body whose shape is adapted to that of the feed funnel, it ensures the uniformity of the supply of washing liquid and air

  drying of the annular gap between the feed funnel

  and the washing body, which ensures the regularity of the washing and drying over the entire circumferential zone of

the mouth of feeding.

  By this system, it is furthermore advantageous to seal, with respect to the ambient environment, the annular gap which

  between the washing body and the mouth of the food

  during the cleaning operation, by means of a sealing member of the cleaning device, applying to the sample introduction device. By this means, it is ensured, in correlation with the embodiment of the

  annular gap between the washing body and the mouth of the food

  With the minimum amount of washing agent, the desired result can be obtained and the rest of the analyzer

  do not come in contact with this cleaning agent.

  It is particularly advantageous, in order to simplify the manipulation of the analyzer apparatus, to have, according to another proposal of the invention, the cleaning device

  on a fixing space, orientable and which is, at the beginning,

  the cleaning operation over the mouth

  feeding, so that the washing body is placed.

  coaxially to the mouth of the feeder and which, in descending

  in the direction of the axis of the feed mouth, causes the cleaning device to be applied hermetically to the feed mouth of the sample introduction device. Based on the rotation of the fixing arm, it is possible to set up at any time, in a reproducible manner, the cleaning device or the washing body, so that it is ensured that in all cases, the annular slot is maintained between the washing body and the feed mouth. It is also particularly advantageous under these conditions that the actuation of the fixing arm is controlled by the analyzer, automatically, preferably by electromechanical actuators, because, in this case, for example, it will be possible to . to run large series of analysis in a very short time, and that we can not, under any circumstances, forget the cleaning of the device for introducing samples and

  sample channel connected to it.

  analysis shows that the user expects the sample to be automatically drawn into the analyzer apparatus from a glass capillary tube, while in the case of syringe samples which have different capabilities, it is expected that

  is injected into the device, a quantity of sample

  from the minimum quantity. Both types of

  troduction of samples necessarily require different operating states in the analyzer apparatus, which

  are usually chosen, before the introduction of samples

  lons by a preselector switch. The disadvantage of this

  type of manipulation lies in the fact that it can occur

  errors during the preselection by the operators,

  errors that are related to disturbances during the introduction

samples.

  In another embodiment of the invention, these drawbacks are avoided by means of a device which consists, at a certain distance in front of the sample introduction opening, of a transmitter of

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  electro-mechanical vibrations, of light or sound vibrations, preferably of infra-red rays or of ultra-sounds, and, in the diametrically opposite direction, with respect to the center of the sample introduction opening, of this emitter at a distance from the center of this aperture, at least two similar emitter vibration detectors are side by side: the functional state of the analyzer apparatus is then automatically adjusted according to the number of detectors receiving a signal or do not receive them after a sample container has been put in place and

  dimensions of this sample container which is found -

  in the opening of introduction of the samples between the

  and the detectors. Firstly, by means of this device, information is obtained on the presence of a sample container, for example a capillary glass tube or a standard syringe and then in the functional state of the apparatus.

  analyzer is adjusted automatically in the appropriate way.

  Another embodiment of the device according to the invention consists in having a number of small detectors in series, which increases the security of the identification even if one is in the presence of more

  two different types of sample containers.

  The invention will be better understood with regard to the

  description hereafter and the attached drawings, representing a

  embodiment of the invention, drawings in which - Figure 1 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of an analyzer apparatus according to the invention in the area of the sample introduction device, Figure 2 is a plan, In natural size, the analyzer apparatus in the area of the introduction of samples and the cleaning device, - Figure 3 is a side view of the sample introduction opening, with a glass capillary tube pressed between 4 is a side view of the sample introduction opening with a syringe pressed between the emitter and the detectors; FIG. 5 shows the identification of a capillary tube in the emitter and the detectors; the field of action of the detectors; FIG. 6 shows the identification of a syringe in the field of action of the detectors, and FIG. 7 illustrates the entire device.

schematically represented.

  The device 1 for introducing the samples has, according to FIG. 1, a fastener 2 which is put in place and fixed on the cover plate 3 of an analyzer apparatus which is not shown in more detail. The

  fixing piece 2 is constituted, in the example of embodiment

  illustrated, of a transparent hard material, for example plastic, has a cylindrical shape and has a

  central perforation 4 which is part of an exchange channel

  6, formed, in another succession, of a pipe which

  is not shown here, which is connected to the stud 5.

  On the upper end in the illustration, of the fastener 2, there is provided a recess 7, in which is inserted a feed piece 8, which can be put in place separately, of elastically deformable material,

  here in transparent plastic material. This piece of food

  8 has a concentric feed mouth 9,

  basically funnel-shaped, which changes direc-

  in the sample channel 6, from the side of the perforation 4 of the fastener 2, with a diameter substantially corresponding to that of this perforation. This feed piece 8 has here dimensions such that it applies

  hermetically, maintained by a circular protrusion 11

  with its annular groove 10, by its own elastic tension, on the sample channel 6 which connects to the

fixing piece 2.

  The funnel-shaped feed mouth 9 of the workpiece 8 is shaped so that sample containers with different diameters for the connection and the outlet can be used. Thus, for example, in FIG. 1, in dashed form, the front part of a plastic syringe 12, which, because of the importance of its diameter at its front end, is applied when it is pushed in on the device of the introduction of the samples, on the feed mouth 9, before the capillary tube 13, indicated in lines and points. By exerting a slight pressure in the direction of the axis 14 of the sample channel 6, the syringe 12 and the glass capillary tube 13 can be sealed, in a very simple manner, with respect to the 8 elastic supply, the capillary tube 13 glass

  able to penetrate far enough into the mouth of the

  9 to be automatically maintained by the latter during sample collection. Because the fastener 2 as well as

  feed piece 8 which is easily maintained therein

  changeable are both transparent, it is also possible to

  to provide a lighting device 15, which is formed of a plurality of luminous bodies 16 fixed on the fastener 2,

  which indicates, in a convenient way for the operators,

  on the sample introduction device, the

  differences in the functional state of the analyzer.

  A particular problem in these analytical apparatuses

  especially in the analysis of biological fluids such as blood, is that all

  of the analyzer that come into contact with the sample

  They must be vigorously and thoroughly cleaned after each analysis to exclude any effect on a subsequent measure, but also to meet the requirements of good hygiene. It is

  provided for this purpose, according to Figure 1, a device net-

  17, which comprises a washing body 18, which, during the cleaning operation, limits, as seen in Figure 1, in common with the funnel-shaped feed mouth 9, an annular slot 19, adapted to the shape of the mouth 9, which can be passed through a fluid for cleaning, by means of an inlet 20, to which can be connected, in a manner that is not illustrated, For example, a portion of the washing body 18 which cooperates with the feed mouth is adapted to the shape of the feed mouth in this zone, and is placed in the cleaning device. in such a way that between his

  base and the cleaning device, there is an annular slot

  2U, which is supplied with fluid or cleaning agent by

  a chamber 22 which communicates with the arrival 20 by a perforation

  23. The washing body 1-8 is here in the form of a separate part, fixed on a part 24; this piece 24 which carries

  also the arrival 20 is fixed for its part on a fixing arm

25.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing arm 25 can rotate on an axis 26 relative to the feed piece 8, at an angle 27, which is made possible by a rotating lever 28 which is biased by a spring 29 and which is actuated by an electromagnet 30, controlled by the analyzer apparatus. The axis 26 can also move in the longitudinal direction, by means of another electromagnet 31, also under the effect of a control of the analyzer apparatus, this control

  being such that the fixing arm 25 turns, when the sample

  sample is finished, first at an angle 27 on the feed piece and is then fed, under the effect of the electromagnet 31, in the position illustrated in the figure

  1, with respect to the device for introducing samples.

  At the beginning of the cleaning operation, the annular gap

  19 formed between the washing body 18 and the mouth of the food

  9 is supplied with cleaning fluid via the inlet 20, the perforation 23, the chamber 22 and the annular slot 21,

  fluid carrying away, under the effect of the high flow rate

  which is established in the annular gap, all the dirt

  res found in the area of the feeder mouth

  9 and in the sample channel 6 connected to it.

  Thanks to the attraction of the electromagnet 31 discussed in connection with FIG. 2, the upper edge 32 of the feed mouth 9 is tightly applied to the part 24 of the cleaning device 17, which prevents the

  cleaning liquid to escape during the operation of net-

  toyage. After washing the channel 6 of the samples, it is sucked, by the stop-20, the air which ensures the drying, this air, because of the increase of its flow velocity in the

  zone of the annular slot 19, dry the latter in the

  clean and without any residue. Then, the fixing arm 25 is moved upwards away from the feed piece 8 by rotation on the axis 26, and is rotated, in its rest position, by the angle 27. The analyzer apparatus is then ready again for the introduction of a sample, which is

  indicated for example by the luminous device 15.

  During the cleaning operation, the attachment arm

  25 which has been rotated above the sample introduction device is fixed by means of abutments 33 precisely adjusted in such a way that the annular slot 19 is ensured of presenting on all sides the most equal possible dimensions.

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  In Figure 2, it is further illustrated

  which identifies a characteristic diameter of the sample container that has been put in place and acts on

  the course of the analysis taking into account the type of reci-

  in question. For this purpose, a transmitter 34 is

  transmits, in the direction 35, an infra-red light, ultra-violet

  sound or other, for example, towards the axis of the power supply

  8. It is possible, by means of a battery 36 of detetminers-the importance of the silhouette of a sample container embedded in the room 8, and directly use this size of the silhouette to continue to act on the progress of the analysis as directly proportional to the extension of the sample container, perpendicular to

the direction 35.

  In Figure 3, a section of the

  introduction of 37 samples of an analyzer.

  according to the invention which is not shown with a hermetically sealed sample capillary tube 38 which is in the field of the radiation 43 of the transmitter 39, in which a series 41 of detector - formed of

  eight separate detectors 40 which are diametrically opposed to it.

  In Figure 5, there is shown. the same device in plan with the capillary tube 38. It follows that the distances a and b, which separate the emitter of the row of detectors, are calculated so that, for the standard diameter of a capillary tube: 38 to samples, are out of circuit, within the detection field e - e ', one or at most two detectors

  , separated, from the row of detectors 41.

  The separate detectors 40 are illustrated under the

  shape of circle segments. The hidden detectors are char-

  in black. Due to the concealment of one to two detectors, this overall information is obtained that a sample container has been placed in the

  samples, and that this container is a capillary tube.

  In a similar way, FIGS. 4 and 6 show the tip 42 of a syringe which has been inserted into the opening for the introduction of the samples, the diameter of which is Dr and whose occultation image on the detectors is formed by the detection field e - e ".

  illustrated, the concealment of more than two detectors

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  only in the opening 37 of introduction of the samples.

  lons, is placed a sample container that has the shape of a syringe. The drawing represents an advantageous embodiment, in which a source of infra-red radiation and as detectors is used as a transmitter, a series of eight phototransistors. It is not mandatory to adopt the number of eight detectors that is shown. It can be seen that the differentiation of the diameter of the sample capillary tubes (preferably from 1 to 1.5 mm) and the syringes with the tip diameter D (about 3 to 6 mm) can

  also be carried out sufficiently with a minimum of two

  only. The arrangement of multiple detectors of smaller diameter in a row, however, presents

  advantages for the security of identification, when the posi-

  sample container may vary in the detection field e - e '. On the other hand, this provision can also

  be used to detect more than two kinds of diameters.

  It will be easy to understand the mode of operation

  the device with reference to Figure 7.

  sample vessel 42, for example, on the path

  the radii of the transmitter 39 has the effect of

  row 41, two are lit on each side of

  the four interior detectors remain obscure.

  The number of illuminated and dark detectors is detected by a device for the detection of signals 44. It then appears from the criteria which are programmed in logic 45, information on the diameter class of the container to be used.

  sample 42 which is at the input of the analyzer apparatus.

  As a result, the sample introduction devices

  of the analyzer 47 are switched by the communication unit

  46 so that if it is for example a capillary tube

  (a sample container of the small-diameter class), the sample contained will be sucked by a vacuum device of the apparatus, and that if one is in the presence of a sample contained in a syringe (class large diameter) the sample path will be switched in such a way that

  the sample is injected into the analyzer.

Claims (2)

A analyzer apparatus for measuring liquid samples having a sample introduction device for passing the samples contained in a container into a sample channel which connects to said device, characterized in that the The sample introduction device (1) has a substantially funnel-shaped feed mouth (9) which serves to set up the sample container. 20) An analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply mouth (9) is made of an elastically deformable material, preferably of transparent plastic material, and is in the form of a piece feeding device (8) which can be separately placed in the device for introducing (1) the samples, hermetic with respect to the sample channel (6) connected thereto by its own elastic tension. Analyzer apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that below the transparent feed mouth (9) there is a lighting apparatus (15) indicating the differences in the operating states of the power supply. analyzer. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a cleaning device for removing the waste from the samples of the introduction device and the channel connected thereto, characterized in that said device cleaning device (17) comprises a washing body (18) which, during the washing operation, circumscribes, in common with the funnel-shaped feed mouth (9), an adapted annular slot (19) in the form of this mouth (9) and which can receive by a supply (20) a fluid or agent for cleaning. Analyzer apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that the annular gap (19) between the washing body (18) and the feed mouth (9) can be supplied at the beginning of the washing operation, a washing liquid, and then air for drying. Analyzer apparatus according to one of Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the outlet of the washing body (18) which cooperates with the feed mouth (9) is substantially adapted to the shape of this mouth (9) in this area, and is placed in the cleaning device (17) such that between its base and this cleaning device, an annular slot (21) is formed which communicates with the arrival of the 'cleaning agent. Analyzer apparatus according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the annular gap (19) between the washing body (18) and the feed mouth (9) is sealed against to the outside environment, during the cleaning operation, by means of a sealing portion of the cleaning device (17) which is applied to the sample introduction device (1). Analyzer apparatus according to one of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the cleaning device (17) is placed on a fixing arm (25) rotatably mounted on the analyzer, which can be rotated initially. the washing operation above the feed mouth (9) so that the washing body (18) is coaxial with the mouth (9), and can move downward in the direction of the the axis of the mouth (9), the washing device (17), to be applied hermetically to the mouth (9) of the device (1) for introducing the samples. Analyzer apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that the operation of the securing arm (25) is effected on the control of the analyzer, automatically, preferably by means of actuators (30, 31) electro-mechanical.   ) Device for establishing a determined functional state of an analyzer apparatus according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that   a certain distance ahead of the opening (1) of introduc-   samples, an emitter (3) of electro-   mechanical, luminous or phonic, preferably ultra-red or ultrasonic, and that are also diametrically opposed to the center of the opening (1) of introduction of the samples, at a distance from the center of this opening (1), at least two detectors (4) of similar types, the functional state of the necessary analyzer apparatus being established automatically according to the number of detectors which 2475729   receive a signal depending on the dimensions of the recipe.   sample holder between the transmitter and the   detectors after a sample container has been installed   lons (2, 6) placed in the opening of introduction of samples lons.   11) Device according to claim 10, characterized   risen-in that one arranges in a row, a number   detectors (4) of very small diameter.